USC loses defensive end Morgan Breslin for rest of the season

USC defensive end Morgan Breslin, a preseason All-American candidate, will miss the remainder of the season because of a hip injury, sources said.

Breslin was perhaps the Trojans’ top defensive player a year ago but missed three games this season because of various injuries. He is being replaced by junior J.R. Tavai.

USC coach Ed Orgeron would confirm only that Breslin would be out for an “extensive amount of time” Tuesday. USC’s experienced depth issues at many positions, but Tavai has filled in nicely with 31 tackles, including 10 against Arizona.

Breslin led USC in sacks (13) and tackles for loss (19.5) in 2012. Despite limited action, Breslin’s 4.5 sacks this season are third on the Trojans.

Tailback Tre Madden (hamstring) will miss Saturday’s game at California and see doctors today to determine if he also will be sidelined for a significant amount of time. Tight end Randall Telfer (knee) and cornerback Anthony Brown (ankle) also will miss the Cal game.

No transfer for Allen

Tailback Javorius Allen remained in the spotlight Tuesday after gaining 133 yards and scoring three touchdowns against Oregon State. But Allen, who was invisible the past 2 1/2 seasons, said he never considered transferring to another school.

“After coach (Lane) Kiffin left, the other coaches here knew what was best for the team and they gave me a chance,” Allen said.

In August, Allen was buried on USC’s depth chart despite getting the most carries as several other tailbacks (Silas Redd, Tre Madden, Justin Davis) battled injuries.

“It just made me work harder (when I saw the depth chart),” Allen said. “It felt good (to have a big game against Oregon State) but I don’t live on stuff like that.”

Cal letdown?

Orgeron said he was not worried about the Trojans suffering a letdown against lowly Cal (1-8, 0-6) following the biggest victory of the season for USC.

“It would be something that is a concern if I didn’t know these guys,” Orgeron said. “I expect them to play well.”

Another reason for such confidence is USC defeated Cal nine consecutive times since a triple-overtime loss to the Bears in 2003. USC was ranked No. 3 heading into that game at Memorial Stadium.

Five receivers practice

It was a rare day for USC as five scholarship receivers — Marqise Lee, Nelson Agholor, Darreus Rogers, De’von Flournoy and Victor Blackwell — practiced. In recent weeks, USC’s had one or even no scholarship receivers healthy enough to practice.

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Standing ovation

When Orgeron attended a weekly booster club meeting Monday he received a standing ovation from the crowd following last week’s upset of Oregon State.

Perhaps that is why he said “It’s been a treat to come to work every day.”

Bad timing

Oregon State coach Mike Riley said Tuesday the Beavers played one of their worst games of the season against USC.

“We made mistakes we haven’t made all year,” Riley said. “It’s not easy to get down there (in the red zone) against USC, but when you do, you better get some points. We failed on that.”